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Prescott Team not pictured Estrella Chavez, Colbey Stratton, Rianna Estrada. Photo by Apuron Photography
Over the weekend of Jan. 8-10, the Sea Lions Swim Team competed in the Prescott Plunge Swim Meet at the indoor pool at Yavapai Community College. The meet featured 10 teams from throughout the State of Arizona.
The Sea Lions won the Quality Team High Point Trophy which was awarded to the team that earned the most points per swimmer on the team. The Quality Team High Point award was given to help put smaller teams on equal footing with larger teams. The Sea Lions were the smallest team at the meet but managed to finish in third place overall with 584.5 points. Westside Silver Fins (Goodyear) and Vitras Swim Team (Verrado) finished in first and second place respectively.
Four Sea Lions received trophies for individual high point scoring based on the number of points they earned in each individual event. Tabitha Kellam (12) won the 11-12 Girls High Point trophy with 85 points. Evan Apuron (11) won the 11-12 boys High Point Trophy with a total of 99 points. Riley Stewart (12) and Johnny Smallhouse (8) brought home Second Place High Point Trophies in their respective age groups.
The level of competition was very good at the meet and any first place finish was reason to celebrate. Several Sea Lions won individual races at the meet. Mason Stewart (10) won a very close 200 Breaststroke. Riley Stewart won the 500 Freestyle. Tabitha Kellam won the 100 Freestyle, the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly. Johnny Smallhouse won the 25 Freestyle, the 100 Individual Medley and the 25 Breaststroke. It was Evan Apuron that made a statement at the meet by winning all 11 events he entered. Coach Alex Gort commented on the Evan’s performance at the meet. “Evan swam a very tough schedule won every race and swam some very good times.” Evan broke the 5 minute mark in the 400 Individual Medley with a winning time of 4:58.62 which is not doubt one of the fastest time in the state for 12 and under boys.
The indoor swim meet was a great change from the outdoor meets that the Sea Lions usually attend. Anya Zovko (8) made the most of the great conditions qualifying for Regionals in the 50 Backstroke, her first regional qualifying time. Ethan Kellam (9) added the 50 Butterfly to his long list of events that he has qualified for Regionals. Riley Stewart qualified for state in the 400 Individual Medley adding it to his list of possible events to swim at the State Championship Meet.
The Sea Lions practice in the Oro Valley pool during the winter months and in the San Manuel Pool in the warmer months. Anyone wanting more information about the Sea Lions Swim Team can contact Alex Gort at (520) 896-2190.
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